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Cards garnering better understanding of market

Cards garnering better understanding of market

Cardinals senior vice president and general manager John Mozeliak discusses signing shortstop Jhonny Peralta to a four-year contract

By Jenifer Langosch
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MLB.com |

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- While the Cardinals remain transaction-free so far in their Winter Meetings stay, general manager John Mozeliak said they have accomplished some of their information-gathering objectives.

Mozeliak is using his time at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort to meet with agents of players who could complete the organization's search to add a right-handed infielder before Spring Training opens. The club feels no urgency to consummate a deal before departing from the Winter Meetings, but it would like to return to St. Louis with a better understanding of the market.

"We're trying to identify the likelihood of creating some sort of match there, if possible," Mozeliak said. "I think the other thing we are focused on is exploring any potential trade options that might make sense for us. But overall, it just isn't something that I think our greatest needs are creating that much of an interest. We're somewhat a little bit in some paralysis, just because where we're fishing in the shallow end and it's not drawing a ton of attention."

While the Cardinals' pitching depth is the envy of other organizations, Mozeliak said those young pitchers have garnered only limited interest by other clubs. The inquiries began to decline after teams watched the Cards address their two biggest holes -- shortstop and center field -- without having to part with any pitching. Most of the calls before that point had been from teams that believed they could help the Cardinals upgrade in one of those two areas in exchange for pitching.

"There have been some teams that have inquired about it, but not to the extent of, I think, maybe public perception," Mozeliak said. "And by us filling the need at short already and addressing our center field without having to move pitching, I think it sent the message that it wasn't about us just giving up on it."

Mozeliak added that the Cardinals do not see a need to add any more pitchers this offseason, either. With a plethora of starters and a cavalry of young arms, Mozeliak believes the organization already has sufficient depth to fill out the bullpen internally.